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Queensland Reds fullback Mark McLinden will make his Australian Sevens debut when he competes in final two legs of the 2008/2009 IRB Sevens World Series in London (May 23-24) and Edinburgh (May 30-31).

McLinden, 29, has had an impressive first season of Super 14 Rugby since switching from rugby league. If he gets through the Reds Saturday night match against the Hurricanes unscathed he will be returning to the UK where he played league for four seasons with the London Broncos and Harlequins. Australian coah O'Conner has a history of bringing recent League converts into the 7s setup with former Sydney rooster Shaun Foley now a regular in the side.

Yet just as the Australians seemed to be making progress with a decent showing at the previous leg in Adelaide, O’Conner has also been starved of some of his most established players ahead of UK tournaments because of injury and other representative duties.

Perhaps the biggest los his flying winger Luke Morahan who had been drafted out of the Reds Academy into the Super 14 sqaud last month, but is now recovering from a dislocated shoulder.

Australian captain Damon Murphy is another casualty, out with a foot injury whilst Brian Sefanaia is nursing a hamstring aliment and Jonathan Jenkins has a leg injury.

The Australian Sevens team will also loose Richard Kingi, Dane Haylett-Petty and Afuspia Taumoepeau to Australian Under 20s duties for the upcoming 2009 IRB Junior World Championships in Japan/

Henry Vanderglas (Brumbies) and Ben Lucas (Reds) are also tentative starters due to pending extended Super 14 commitments. On a positive note, Ben Coridas has returned to the side after recovering from a shoulder injury.

“By having the Under 20s out it will give us the opportunity to have a look at some younger players that I have been keen to look at for next year,” said O’Connor.

“I have brought into the squad some young guys from Sydney University - Clinton Sills as well as Pat McCutcheon, who is playing very well with his club.”

Brumbies scrumhalf James Stannard will also make his Australian Sevens debut in London. The 25-year-old, who played for the Western Force during 2008, has 11 Super 14 caps (10 Force & 1 Brumbies).After the success of the last leg O’Connor is confident his side can again improve at the seasons finale.

“We have some credibility now,” O’Connor said. “We are a side that can mix it with the top teams not just an inexperienced group. All the indications are that we are tracking on the right plane and we hope to improve again in London and Edinburgh and finish on a good note.”

For the London Sevens, Australia will play the World Series leaders and two-time International Rugby Sevens Adelaide champions, South Africa, World champions Wales and Germany in Pool A.

Australia Squad: Ben Coridas, William Brock, Benjamin McCalman, Henry Vanderglas, James Stannard, William Bishop, Shaun Foley, Dominic Shipperley, Clinton Sills, Mark McLinden (TBC after Reds match on Saturday evening), Ben Lucas (TBC after Reds match on Saturday evening) Pat McCutcheon.

UR7s will be providing news, further interviews and a Live Text Commentary of the Emirates Airline London Sevens which kicks off on the 23/24th of May.

Click here for London Sevens tickets